Alabama RB Trent Richardson Would Look Good in Orange and Blue

We all know how much John Fox and the Carolina Panthers valued two top notch running backs in his time their by the simple fact that in two consecutive years, he drafted DeAngelo Williams (Memphis) and Jonathan Stewart (Oregon). Those guys were a very key component in the Panthers’ long playoff runs a few years ago, and a big reason why they were such a dominant team for a couple of years.

The Denver Broncos drafted Knowshon Moreno in the first round of the 2009 draft, and while some feel he’s been a disappointment, I vastly disagree. I think injuries have disappointed Moreno, who has never had a full offseason until 2011 (ish), and now he comes into this season as one of the big breakout candidates in the NFL, at least in my opinion.

To supplement Moreno, the Broncos picked up Willis McGahee when he was cut by Baltimore, a move we predicted here at NFL Mocks (just saying…). McGahee is a tough, powerful runner who is also a very good receiver out of the backfield, and he will undoubtedly give the Broncos’ running game a significant boost in 2011.

I usually am not a fan of taking running backs in the first round, but in the case of one specific Heisman candidate, I think the Broncos should make an exception. The idea that they could pair Alabama running back Trent Richardson with Knowshon Moreno as a tandem for the future is simply to enticing to ignore.

Right now, it remains to be seen where the Broncos will be selecting next year, but Richardson has a rare work ethic and style of play that made me make him my top running back in the class of 2012 should he choose to come out. He runs low, he runs with power, and he is a punisher inside the tackles.

Pairing him with Moreno could give the Broncos a deadly rushing attack for years to come, and hopefully would help keep both guys fresh.